Politics

EPA Gives Out $500K In Unauthorized Bonuses, Report Says

The Environmental Protection Agency allegedly paid out nearly $500,000 in unauthorized bonuses to 10 federal employees, according to a report by the EPA Inspector General.

The report comes after senior EPA official John Beale racked up almost $900,000 in fraudulent travel expenses and unauthorized retention bonuses.

The IG investigation reports 11 employees between 2006 and 2013 received a total of $481,819 in unauthorized retention bonuses, meant to incentivize staying with the EPA when employees have received other job offers, Fox News reported.

For 10 of the recipients the IG could find no authorization for the bonuses, which are supposed to be reviewed annually in accordance with federal regulations.

One employee received bonus pay for four years totaling nearly $105,000, although the pay should have been terminated in 2009 because he was promoted.

Another employee was approved for a one-year retention bonus and instead received incentive pay over five years totaling $77,204.

The report cited lack of internal controls, confusion and failure by managers and employees to follow up.

The IG says no current employees at the EPA are receiving retention bonuses, the Washington Free Beacon reported.